Shadepaw's POV:

The she cat's wails ripped through camp, drawing on for many heartbeats at a time. Shadepaw shivered in his nest, his ears flattened as he silently listened to Redleaf's kitting.

They had experienced two full moons of calm. NoName seemed to have relaxed over that time and Shadepaw's training was a lot less intense. Spiderkit was becoming a nuisance in camp and NoName was tempted to punish the kit, only being stopped by Shadepaw's reasonable words. He had to be extra careful, however. Even after two moons, NoName was still sensitive about the whole 'saving Redleaf and Curledtail' scene. Luckily, Shadepaw had avoided anymore punishment and was slowly returning to his mother's good books.

An especially loud yowl bounced around the den walls, making Shadepaw's ears ring. He gritted his teeth, exhausted but unable to sleep. The rest of the clan had managed light naps during the kitting but Shadepaw found it impossible.

It wasn't long before the first kit's cry echoed from the nursery cave and Shadepaw pricked his ears. Finally! Her kitting had lasted nearly all night long, it was about time the kits arrived!

Leaping to his paws, Shadepaw exited the apprentices den silently and headed to the nursery tunnel. Shinewing was just leaving, a faint smile on her lips. She looked up when she saw Shadepaw. "Oh, hello."

"How are the kits?" He asked immediately, eager to know how Redleaf and her litter were doing.

"Four kits, one was still-born." Shinewing reported. "It was a long kitting, but they are healthy and strong. You can go in and see them now.. just try to be quiet, they're asleep."

Shadepaw nodded and stood back to let Shinewing pass. Behind her, a dark furred she cat followed the Lightclan prisoner like a shadow, guarding her with watchful eyes. As she she cat passed Shadepaw, she dipped her head to him and continued after Shinewing.

Shadepaw ducked into the tunnel once the medicine cat had left, padding into the spacious cave to see Redleaf asleep with her kits. Curledtail lay around her, grooming his mate's pelt with a deep purr. When he saw Shadepaw, he murmured. "I thought you might come to see them."

Shadepaw nodded silently, stopping by the queen and her mate. "Do they have names yet?" He asked in a hushed tone, peering down at the three sleeping bundles of fur. The fourth was nowhere to be seen- the body had probably been disposed of.

"Flamekit, Snowkit and Cherrykit." Curledtail purred, touching each kit in turn.

Shadepaw smiled, noticing how the golden she kit looked very much like Flamestar. "I see you named this one after Flamestar." He murmured.

"Yes," Curledtail nodded, "I think Flamestar's spirit lives within her." He nuzzled the orange she kit. "She's our second chance at freedom."

Shadepaw didn't know how NoName would react to Flamekit, but he doubted she'd do anything irrational. "And then there's Snowkit and Cherrykit." He looked at the two she kits- snowy white and light brown. "All she kits."

Curledtail purred. "They'll grow into strong, beautiful warriors. Starclan is on their side."

Shadepaw glanced at the nursery tunnel where silver moonlight flooded into the cave, and murmured in reply. "Hopefully that is so."

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Blossompaw's POV:

Blossompaw slept peacefully until late morning, feeling a warmth by her side as she lifted her head. Blinking her eyes open she saw Shadepaw snoring in his nest, his tail resting on her. The dark tom looked exhausted, trapped in a deep, deep sleep.

Removing his tail from her back didn't wake him, and neither did accidentally tripping on his paws as she left the den.

Blossompaw sighed and looked around camp. Everything seemed normal. She wondered where her mentor was; Thunder rarely seemed bothered to train her, she mostly trained herself or joined Shadepaw's sessions.

"Hey Blossompaw." Stormpaw bounded up to the cream furred she cat. "How's it going?"

"I dunno." She shrugged, yawning as she licked down some spiky fur. "You?"

"We're going training! Do you wanna join?" The grey tom grinned eagerly at her, awaiting her answer.

"Uh, sure." She shrugged, chuckling at his enthusiasm.

"Let's go!" Stormpaw took off for the camp exit, leaving Blossompaw to scramble hastily after him.

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